Statute Law Repeals - Law Commission - Ministry of Justice

Paddington Market Act 1883
6.97 The Paddington Market Act 1883 166 was passed to establish a market near
Paddington railway station in west London. 167 The preamble to the 1883 Act
recorded that “the establishment of a Market for the sale of fruit vegetables meat
poultry fish and other provisions articles and commodities in a convenient
position at Paddington in the parish of St Mary Paddington in the county of
Middlesex would be advantageous to the inhabitants of that neighbourhood and
of the Western and North-western parts of the Metropolis generally”. The Act
incorporated the Paddington Market Company with power to construct and
maintain a market and acquire the necessary land. The Company’s powers to
construct the market were to expire after 2 August 1888.
6.98 Despite the 1883 Act providing the necessary authority for the establishment of a
market in Paddington, it appears that no market was ever established pursuant to
this Act. 168 On that basis it is clear that the Act became spent once the time limit
for completing the market expired after 2 August 1888. It follows that the 1883
Act has long ceased to serve any useful purpose and its repeal is proposed on
that basis.
GROUP 5 – GENERAL REPEALS
Orphans, London Act (1694)
6.99 The 1694 Act 169 was passed to raise a fund (known as the City of London
Orphans Fund) to replenish an ancient fund that existed to support orphan
children of Freemen of the City of London. 170 The City of London has long made
financial provision for such orphans. 171 The funds for this included deposits
invested by Freemen as well as the assets of deceased Freemen. Unfortunately
these funds became depleted as a result of the political and economic turmoil in
England following the overthrow of Charles I and the losses caused by the Great
Fire of 1666. By 1694 the City’s debts had reached £747,472, two-thirds of which
was money belonging to the orphans. The City was unable to repay its debts and
sought Parliamentary assistance in raising new finance to help clear its debts and
replenish the orphans’ trust money.
166 46 & 47 Vict. c.clviii.
167
The market’s intended site was between the Harrow Road and North Wharf Road, just to
the north of Paddington Station.
168 An ancient market (dating back to 1830) used to operate in Church Street but was
discontinued in the early 20th century. The site was bombed during the Second World War
and was then redeveloped as part of the Church Street estate.
169 5 & 6 Will. & Mar. c.10.
170 Freemen of the City of London were (and remain) persons who have been granted the
Freedom of the City. Freemen were commonly members of the City Livery Companies.
171 The Lord Mayor and Aldermen were entrusted with the care and guardianship of all orphan
children of Freemen while they were minors and unmarried.
198